What are Bay County Public Records?
Bay County public records is any document prepared, used, owned, and retained by any government agencies, departments, boards, and commissions in the country. The records can be handwritten, printed, typed, photographic, recorded, or photocopied and can be in the form of letters, papers, maps, manuals, pictures, or any form of storage.
The Michigan FOIA law excludes some records from being viewed, copied, or inspected by the public. Examples Includes:
- Medical examiners records used to conduct an investigation
- Juvenile records
- Law enforcement officers investigate records where disclosure will interfere with its proceedings.
- Records prohibited from disclosure by a statute
- Confidential and proprietary trade secrets and financial information
- Adoption records
- Law enforcement officers' communication codes
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Bay County Crime Statistics
The Michigan State Police provides an online breakdown of statistics and reports of crimes recorded in the state. These statistics are obtained from all law enforcement agencies within the county. In 2020, the Michigan Incident Crime Reporting (MICR) reported 1,438 crimes in the county. These included 661 larceny thefts, 215 burglaries, 212 aggravated assaults, 82 sex crimes, 31 car robberies, 120 motor vehicle thefts, 155 retail frauds, 7 arson, 2 murders, and 1 carjacking.
In 2016, Bay county recorded a total crime of 2,232. The county's law enforcement agencies reported 1,075 larceny thefts, 491 burglaries, 295 retail fraud, 172 aggravated assaults, 81 sex-related offenses, 73 motor vehicle thefts, 30 robberies, 14 arsons, and 1 murder. The overall crime rate in the county has dropped by 35.6% over five years.
Are Bay County Criminal Records Public?
Bay County criminal records are available to the public at the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Criminal records show arrests and convictions of an individual who commits an offense. Also, the Michigan State Police provides access to the Criminal History Search to obtain criminal records. Interested parties can access Bay County criminal records by querying the database by fingerprint or name.
How to Obtain Bay County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
A police report is a government document detailing a law enforcement officer's encounter during an arrest, while arrest records contain details of the offenses committed by a person arrested. Bay County police report and Bay County arrest records from the Records Division by calling (989) 895-4050 or in person at:
Bay County Law Enforcement Center
503 Third Street
Bay City, MI 48708
Fax: (989) 895-4058
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bay County
Bay County sex offender information is available at the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry (SOR). To query the database, searchers should have the full name, street address, MDOC number, offender type, county, zip code, and compliance status of the sex offender. Additionally, searchers can register for alerts by location to receive email notifications whenever the status of a registered sex offender changes.
How to Find Bay County Inmate Records
Bay County Sheriff's Department and Jail administer the daily operations of the county jail. Searchers can obtain Bay County inmate records by calling the Sheriff's Office on (989) 895-4050. Alternatively, parties can request inmate records in person by visiting the county jail located at:
Bay County Law Enforcement Center
Bay County Sheriff's Office
503 Third Street
Bay City, MI 48708
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Bay County Jail?
Bay County Sheriff's office runs the day-to-day operations of the county jail, and one of its duties is to grant family and friends access to inmates incarcerated in its prison. All visits are conducted by video and can be on-site at the lobby of the law enforcement center or off-site at the visitor's location. Visitation times are from 8:00 A.M - 11:00 P.M throughout the week, although visitation will not be available from 11:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M, 4:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M, and 6:30 P.M -7:30 P.M throughout the week.
Remote visitors should create an account using a third-party site to register and schedule visitation. Remote visitors should log in to the account 15 minutes before the commencement of the scheduled visit. It cost $6.99 and $13.99 for 20 minutes and 40 minutes of remote visitation, respectively. Inmates get a free 20 minutes video visit per week available only for on-site visitation.
Bay County Court Records
Bay County court records are the official records created during a legal process, and the court clerk maintains them. Court records include criminal, civil, traffic, divorce, felony, juvenile, paternity, and adoption. Bay County has a Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court. The Circuit Court hears all civil cases involving amounts above $25,000, felony cases, and divorce cases. It is the highest trial court in the county. The District Court presides over all criminal matters involving misdemeanors, assault and battery, thefts, and traffic cases. It also attends to civil cases below $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000. The Probate Court presides over adoptions, guardianship and conservatorships, juvenile delinquency, will and estates, and child protection. Persons interested in Bay County court records may contact:
18th Circuit Court
Bay County Court Facility
1230 Washington Avenue
Suite 619
Bay City, MI 48708-5734
Phone: (989) 895-4250
Fax: (989) 895-2059
74th District Court
Bay County Court Facility
1230 Washington Avenue
Suite 736
Bay City, MI 48708-5737
Phone: (989) 895-4232
Fax: (989) 895-4049
Bay County Probate Court
1230 Washington Avenue
Suite 715
Bay City, MI 48708-5737
Phone: (989) 895-4206
Are Bay County Court Records Public?
As per the Michigan Court Rules, most Bay County court records are available to the public. However, the law excludes some records from being disclosed to the public without a court order. Examples include:
- Sealed or confidential court records
- Juvenile records
- All mental health cases
- Grand jury information
- Medical records created by a medical service provider
- Substance or drug abuse records
- Crime victims' personal information
- Adoption records
How to Obtain Bay County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court cases are cases to settle claims of liability by the actions of one party on another. Civil court cases include contract disputes, domestic relations, small claims, divorce, juvenile delinquency, landlord/tenant disputes, personal injury, adoption, and will contest. Interested parties can obtain Bay County civil court records from the Clerk's Office for a fee at:
Bay County Clerk
515 Center Avenue
Suite 101
Bay City, MI 48708-5941
Phone: (989) 895-4280
Fax: (989) 895-4284
Parties can also search Bay County court cases online. The searchers need to have the full name, business name, and case number to query the database. Parties can also search using the judge's name of the court that presided over the case.
How to Obtain Bay County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records are the files created in court during criminal trials. Bay County criminal court cases include felony, juvenile, misdemeanor, and ordinance violations. Parties interested in obtaining Bay County's criminal court case records can get them from the County Clerk's Office. The Clerk charges a fee to obtain the records based on the document type and the number of copies requested. Parties can obtain these records at:
Bay County Clerk
515 Center Avenue
Suite 101
Bay City, MI 48708-5941
Phone: (989) 895-4280
Fax: (989) 895-4284
Alternatively, parties can access Bay County criminal court case records online using the Bay County Court case online search tool. Record seekers should have the case number, the full name or business name, the judge's name, and the court that presided over the criminal case to obtain the record online.
What are Bay County Vital Records?
Bay county vital records are government-issued documents of crucial life events in the county. Bay County vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Bay County vital records are confidential records obtained only by specific individuals. The County Clerk keeps and issues certified copies of vital records to eligible individuals for a fee. Record seekers can also get vital records from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS).
Where and How to Obtain Bay County Divorce Records
Bay County divorce decree is the formal order issued by a court ending a marriage. Record seekers can only obtain divorce decrees from the courthouse where the judge issued the judgment of divorce. Interested parties can obtain Bay County divorce record from the County Clerk's Office located at:
Bay County Clerk
515 Center Avenue
Suite 101
Bay City, MI 48708-5941
Phone: (989) 895-4280
Fax: (989) 895-4284
The MDHHS issues divorce verification, and it contains limited information about the divorcing couple, usually the names, date, and place of divorce, and the filing date on the record. The record is available to anyone, provided the individual can furnish the MDHHS with the relevant information. The MDHHS charges a fee to obtain the record. Interested parties can order a certified copy of Bay County divorce records online, by phone, in person, or by mail. The MDHHS is open for in-person requesters Monday to Thursday from 10.00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. In-person requesters should schedule an appointment before visiting. Requesters by mail can fill out the Application For a Certified Copy - Michigan Divorce Records and mail the application to:
Michigan Department of Health and Human Service
Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Where and How to Get Public Bay County Marriage Records
The Bay County Clerk makes available certified copies of marriage records for marriages licenses purchased in the county. Marriage records cost $14.00 per copy requested and $3.00 for additional copies of the same record. Requesters can order a marriage record in person or by mail. The office of the County Clerk is open for in-person requesters Monday to Friday from 8:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M and 1:00 P.M - 5:00 P.M. Requesters by mail can write a request and include a check or money order, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope and mail to the County Clerk's Office located at:
Bay County Clerk
515 Center Avenue
Suite 101
Bay City, MI 48708-5941
Phone: (989) 895-4280
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Bay County
Marriage Records in Michigan are considered public. Therefore, there are no confidential marriage records in Bay County.
Where and How to Find Bay County Birth Records
Bay County Court Clerk issues birth records for births that happened in the county. Bay County birth certificates are confidential records that are only accessible by the record owner and the parents named on the birth record. A legal guardian, an heir, or a legal representative can only obtain a birth record with additional documentation to prove the relationship to the record holder. A request for a birth record made by any other party apart from the record holder must include written permission from the record holder. It costs $14.00 to obtain a copy of a birth record, and requesters must possess an unexpired driver's license or state-issued ID.
Eligible parties can obtain Bay County birth certificate by mail by filling out the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate and enclosing a copy of the requester's ID, self-addressed envelope, and check or money order to:
Bay County Clerk
515 Center Avenue
Suite 101
Bay City, MI 48708-5941
Phone: (989) 895-4280
Where and How to Find Bay County Death Records
Bay County death records are accessible from the County Clerk's Office. The County Clerk only issues death certificates for deaths pronounced in the county. Parties can order a death record by mail or in person. It costs $14.00 to obtain a certified copy of a death record with subsequent copies charged at $4.00 per copy, and the fees are paid by cash or money order only.
In-person requesters can obtain the record from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday to Friday. Parties ordering a death record by mail can send a written request to the County Clerk's Office. Requesters should include:
- The deceased's name.
- The date of death.
- The number of copies requested.
- A self-addressed and stamped envelope.
- The check or money order.
Bay County Clerk
515 Center Avenue
Suite 101
Bay City, MI 48708-5941
Phone: (989) 895-4280
